SnOasis winter sports resort to be built - in Suffolk » Environment » 24dash.com

A winter sports resort in one of the flattest parts of the UK was given the green light by the Government today.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said SnOasis could be built near Ipswich, Suffolk, providing developers were able to negotiate a few remaining planning obstacles.

Developer Onslow Suffolk proposes to spend more than £300 million creating a complex which will include Europe's largest indoor ski slope.

The complex would be built at a former quarry in Great Blakenham near Ipswich, Suffolk.

Government planning inspectors want more information on the carbon footprint the SnOasis project is likely to leave on the area.

A final decision will be made by the Secretary of State by September 17.

Onslow Suffolk wants to create an indoor ski slope, ice rink, hotels, as well as shops and apartments.

The firm said a package of benefits costing £29m would be put in place covering a wide range of projects.

These included planting 130,000 trees, improvements to the Copdock intersection of the A12 and A14, skills and training initiatives, and a main line railway station linking to London Liverpool Street.

Some residents have voiced concern about the impact of the complex on the environment and increased traffic congestion.

The Suffolk Wildlife Trust also registered an objection to the planning application saying there would be a "significant loss to biodiversity".

Chairman of the SnOasis Community Alliance, John Williams, said: "If there's justice in the world it will be stopped, if the government really means what it says about climate change it would not let this go ahead."

Godfrey Spanner, managing director of Onslow Suffolk, said: "In Government-speak, we've got the green light and we're on the downward slope," said a spokesman.

"We've got some obstacles to negotiate but with a project of this size there are always going to be obstacles.

"We're confident that they can be negotiated - to use a ski-ing analogy, they are not something that will stop us getting to the bottom of the slope."

The company hopes to start building by the end of the year and aims to have the complex up and running before 2012, said the spokesman.

He said the project would cost at least £350 million and added: "This is an important development for the country, not just East Anglia - both in terms of leisure and sports facilities."

Onslow Suffolk says SnOasis "will offer a totally new concept in family activity holidays".

"At the heart of the complex lies Europe's largest indoor ski slope, measuring 415 metres long by 70 metres wide, with a 100 metre vertical drop, giving an exhilarating run to both dedicated and fun-seeking skiers," says the company's website.

"Altogether 14 different winter sports are available plus an extensive array of other activities, all housed in superb surroundings."